Cable management for enclosures

ABSTRACT

Provided is a cable retention device to facet attachments and projections onto an enclosure. The device includes an inner and outer planar layer which include an inner and outer cutout respectively. The inner and outer planar layers are attached and aligned so the inner and outer cutouts overlap. The inner planar layer includes a pair of vertical slotted cutouts connected by a center cutout to form a plurality of pinch points. Each vertical slotted cutout includes an inner edge and an outer edge.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of electronicsenclosures, and more particularly to rack cable management.

Enclosures, such as frames and cabinets, have been used to mount andstore electrical components for many years. Enclosures typically includea chassis, which may be configured to mount brackets and shelves. Thebrackets and shelves may be configured to house electronic components,such as audio, video, and network devices or server computers. Theelectronic components housed in the enclosure may be connected to eachother and to other components housed elsewhere via one or more cablesthat need to be routed throughout the enclosure and properly managed.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure include a cable retention devicefor faceting projections or attachments onto a computer enclosure. Thedevice includes an inner planar layer and an outer planar layer. Theinner and outer planar layers include an inner and an outer cutout,respectively. The inner and outer planar layers may be aligned so theinner and outer cutouts at least partially overlap. The inner cutoutincludes a pair of substantially parallel vertical slotted cutoutsconnected by a center cutout to form a plurality of pinch points. Eachvertical slotted cutout includes an inner edge and an outer edge.

Further embodiments of the present disclosure include a method formanufacturing a cable retention device for faceting projections onto acomputer enclosure. An outer cutout may be formed on a first panel. Aninner cutout may be formed on a second panel. The inner cutout mayinclude a pair of vertical slotted cutouts. The vertical slotted cutoutsmay be substantially parallel to each other, and they may be connectedby a center cutout so as to form a plurality of pinch points between thevertical slotted cutouts. The first panel and the second panel may beattached so that the inner and outer cutouts at least partially overlap.

The above summary is not intended to describe each illustratedembodiment or every implementation of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings included in the present disclosure are incorporated into,and form part of, the specification. They illustrate embodiments of thepresent disclosure and, along with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of the disclosure. The drawings are only illustrative oftypical embodiments and do not limit the disclosure.

Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicatelike elements. Dimensions of various aspects of the drawings areintended to be representative and may not be to scale.

FIG. 1A illustrates an isometric view of a cable retention device, inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1B depicts an isometric view of the cable retention device with ahex bolt, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2A illustrates a front view of the cable retention device fromoutside an enclosure, in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 2B illustrates a front view of the cable retention device frominside an enclosure, in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 3A is a view of the inner planar layer of a side panel with theinner cutout, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3B is a view of the outer planar layer of the side panel with theouter cutout, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates an enclosure having top and side panels with cableretention devices, in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example method for manufacturing the cableretention device, in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

While the embodiments described herein are amenable to variousmodifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shownby way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. Itshould be understood, however, that the particular embodiments describedare not to be taken in a limiting sense. On the contrary, the intentionis to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives fallingwithin the spirit and scope of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to the field ofelectronics enclosures, and more particularly to rack cable management.While the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to suchapplications, various aspects of the disclosure may be appreciatedthrough a discussion of various examples using this context.

As the density of information technology equipment increases, so doesthe amount of required cabling. While the cable volume increases, therack width is typically fixed to, for example, match the rack tiles indata centers. For example, rack width may be fixed at a maximum 600 mmto match standards set by the ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS INDUTSRYASSOCIATION® (Electronic Components Industry Association non-profitcorporation ILLINOIS 1111 Alderman Dr., Suite 400 Alpharetta Ga. 30005),as this width aligns with the tiles of most data centers.

In the industry, current enclosure designs are not able to manage theoverwhelming increase in cable volume at a constant rack width,requiring installers to depopulate equipment and/or add expensiveextender sub-racks to spread out cabling. Unresolved cable managementissues may lead to undesired bending of cables, overheating, obstructedairflow, or difficulty administering changes in the current enclosuredesign. Additionally, current cable management solutions require cabletie-downs that protrude either into the enclosure or out of theenclosure. This causes a number of problems. For example, protrusionsthat stick out from the enclosure wall or panel into the interior of theenclosure may prohibit removal and insertion of computer componentsfrom, or into, the enclosure or rack. Protrusions outside of theenclosure may cause the widest point of the enclosure to exceed industrystandards, or otherwise interfere with neighboring enclosures.

The present disclosure relates to a cable retention device, which may beused to facet projections and attachments onto an enclosure in order toproperly manage cables or other equipment within the enclosure. Thecable retention device may include a double-layered panel with a cutouton each layer. The inner cutout may include a pair of vertical slottedcutouts connected by a center cutout to form a plurality of pinch pointswhich may be used to facet projections and attachments onto anenclosure. The outer cutout may be sized and shaped to receive andretain projections within the enclosure.

Embodiments of the cable retention device may be compact andunobtrusive, allowing the most room for cabling and other components(e.g., power distribution units (PDUs) and vertical water manifolds)within the enclosure. Some embodiments of the cable retention device maybe flush with surrounding material to ensure it does not interfere withother components within the enclosure. Furthermore, it may be relativelysmall, allowing a plurality of the cable retention devices to bedisposed on each enclosure. A compact design may also allow the cableretention device to facet projections and attachments onto the enclosurewithout extruding beyond the enclosure width. The thickness of thepanels may be configured so that projections and attachments do notextrude beyond the enclosure width.

Some embodiments of the cable retention device may also be costefficient, in that they may be easily and cheaply fabricated. The cableretention device may be formed with any suitable manufacturing method,such as stamping, punching, cutting, computer numerical controlled (CNC)machining, or pressing. These manufacturing methods allow rapid,inexpensive, and large quantity production of cable retention devices,as repetitive punches may be formed on the layers.

Embodiments of the cable retention device may also be flexible, as theymay be positioned in various locations. The cutouts may be formed on anysuitable material, such as metal, glass, ceramic, composites, orpolymers. In sheet metal enclosure embodiments, the cutouts may beplaced closer to sheet metal features as compared to protruding cutouts.Protruding cutouts require additional spacing from sheet metal featuresto allow the metal to bend. Furthermore, protruding cutouts may requireadditional space to access the cutout, which may be obstructed if placedin proximity to a sheet metal feature (e.g., a bend or attachmentpoint). The cable retention device may be placed on panels, brackets,shelves or any other feature on an enclosure.

Additionally, some embodiments of the cable retention device may beversatile, as they may be multifunctional. The cable retention devicemay secure projections such as screws, bolts, and nails within thecenter cutout or vertical slotted cutouts within the pinch points. Theseprojections may be configured to attach shelves, brackets, or othercomponents onto the enclosure. The outer cutout may be configured to(e.g., sized and shaped to) immobilize projections by accommodating thesize and shape of the selected projection. The vertical slotted cutoutsmay likewise be configured to receive and retain tie attachments such asstraps, hooks, loops, and rings. These tie attachments may securecables, PDUs, wires or other components onto the enclosure.

Furthermore, the cable management system may be durable enough to endureshipping environments. In some examples, the enclosure may be formedwith sheet metal for durability. This may allow the computer componentsto be housed within the enclosure during shipping, instead of requiringthe computer components and the enclosure be separately shipped andassembled upon arrival.

In some embodiments, the cable retention device may allow securingprojections or attachments from entirely the inside of the enclosure.This may be particularly advantageous as there may be walls or otherenclosures populating the area outside of the enclosure width. The cableretention device may include a pair of peripheral tabs to facilitatefeeding projections into the vertical slotted cutouts from entirely theinside of the enclosure. The projection may be inserted into thecombined length of the peripheral tab cutouts and the vertical slottedcutouts. The projection may then be repositioned and immobilized withinthe walls of the vertical slotted cutouts. Furthermore, the centercutout facilitates inserting tie attachments into the vertical slottedcutouts from entirely the inside of the enclosure. Tie attachments maybe contorted and inserted into the center cutout, then retained by thepinch points.

It is to be understood that the aforementioned advantages are exampleadvantages and should not be construed as limiting. Embodiments of thepresent disclosure can contain all, some, or none of the aforementionedadvantages while remaining within the spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 1A illustrates an isometric view of a cable retention device 1having an outer planar layer 4 and an inner planar layer 6, inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The outer andinner planar layers 4, 6 may be joined at an attachment point 2. Theouter planar layer 4 may include an outer cutout 5 and the inner planarlayer 6 may include an inner cutout 7. The outer and inner planar layers4, 6 may be aligned or attached so the outer and inner cutouts 5, 7 atleast partially overlap. The cable retention device 1 may be configuredto receive and retain attachments. In some embodiments, the inner cutout7 includes vertical slotted cutouts 8. As depicted in FIG. 1A, thevertical slotted cutouts 8 may be substantially parallel to each other.For example, the vertical slotted cutouts 8 may be substantiallyelliptical in shape, with a major axis that runs through the verticalslotted cutouts 8 in the longer direction, and a minor axis that runsthrough the vertical slotted cutouts 8 in the shorter direction. Thevertical slotted cutouts 8 may be considered substantially parallel iftheir major or minor axis are parallel or form an angle of less than 10degrees. The vertical slotted cutouts 8 may be connected with a centercutout 12 to form a plurality of pinch points 16.

The center cutout 12 may be configured to receive and retain projections(e.g., fasteners) by immobilizing projections within the pinch points16. In some embodiments, the center cutout 12 may be substantiallycircular, allowing the inner cutout 7 to receive and retain circularprojections such as screws, bolts, nails, stakes, posts, poles, rivets,wires, ropes, or any other substantially circular projection. In someembodiments, the center cutout 12 may be polygon shaped (e.g., atriangle, diamond, square, pentagon, hexagon, octagon). In someembodiments, the center cutout 12 may be rounded on the top and flat onthe bottom, or vice versa. Varying the size, placement, and shape of thecenter cutout 12 alters the shape and placement of the pinch points 16,which allow the pinch points 16 to immobilize a range of projectionsdepending on the selected geometry. It is to be understood that the sizeand shape of the center cutout 12 as shown in FIG. 1A is exemplary, andthat any size or shape otherwise consistent with this disclosure iscontemplated.

The vertical slotted cutouts 8 may be configured to receive and retaintie attachments. In some embodiments, the center cutout 12 facilitatesinserting tie attachments between the vertical slotted cutouts 8. Tieattachments may be retained within the vertical slotted cutouts 8 bytrapping the tie attachments within the distance between the pinchpoints 16. The dimensions of the vertical slotted cutouts 8, the centercutout 12, and the pinch points 16 may be sized and shaped depending onthe coupled tie attachment. Various tie attachments may be used, such asVELCRO® Straps (Velcro Industries B.V. LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANYNETHERLANDS Castorweg 22-24 Curacao NETHERLANDS), zip-ties, hooks,loops, and rings. The distance between the upper and lower pinch points16 may be smaller than the width of the tie attachment so the tieattachment remains retained within the pair of vertical slotted cutouts8. Inserting tie attachments through the center cutout 12 may beadvantageous as it allows faceting tie attachments between the verticalslotted cutouts 8 from one side of the cable retention device 1. Thismay be useful when an enclosure is only accessible from the inside, asit allows tie attachments to be secured entirely from the inside of theenclosure. This problem frequently arises in server rack systems, asrooms are typically dimensioned to place each enclosure in an areadefined by the enclosure width. In multiple rack systems, there may belittle to no space between server racks, which may make it necessary toinsert tie attachments and projections from entirely the inside of theenclosure.

FIG. 1B depicts an isometric view of the cable retention device 1 with ahex bolt 20, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.The outer cutout 5 may be sized and shaped to accommodate specificprojections. In some embodiments, the outer cutout 5 is substantiallysquare shaped with corners 14 to accommodate the hex bolt 20. Thecorners 14 may be sized and shaped to accommodate specific projections.For example, as shown in FIG. 1B, the corners 14 are sized and shaped(e.g., have a specific angle) that allows the hex bolt 20 to fitsecurely in the bottom of one of the vertical slotted cutouts 8 suchthat an edge of the hex bolt 20 rests flush with one of the corners 14.In some examples, the corners 14 are chamfered or filleted.

Projections may be inserted into the vertical slotted cutouts 8 throughouter and inner peripheral tab cutouts 9, 10. The peripheral tab cutoutsmay increase the combined length required to access the vertical slottedcutouts 8, allowing a user to insert a projection from entirely theinside of the enclosure. For example, the hex bolt 20 may be inserteddirectly into the vertical slotted cutouts 8 through the outer and innerperipheral tab cutouts 9, 10. The outer and inner peripheral tab cutouts9, 10 may be disposed on the outer and inner cutouts 5, 7 respectively,to facilitate adding projections wider than the vertical slotted cutouts8. The outer and inner peripheral tab cutouts 9, 10 may be sized andshaped depending on the selected projection. In some embodiments, theperipheral tab cutouts may be rounded to facilitate adding screws orother round projections.

The hex bolt 20 may be tilted diagonally to allow the head to fitthrough the combined length of the vertical slotted cutouts 8 and theperipheral tab cutouts. In some embodiments, the outer peripheral tabcutout 9 may be narrower than the inner peripheral tab cutout 10. Thisconfiguration may be implemented to retain a feature on a projection(e.g., a hex bolt 20 head) within the niche of the outer peripheral tabcutout 9. However, in some embodiments the inner peripheral tab cutout10 may be narrower than the outer peripheral tab cutout 9. Furthermore,the outer and inner peripheral tab cutouts 9, 10 may have similar or thesame dimensions. Overall, the peripheral tab cutouts allow projectionsto be inserted into the cable retention device 1 from entirely theinside of the enclosure. The hex bolt 20 may be locked into place in thecorner 14. This is because the corner 14 may be chamfered to be flushwith sides of the hex bolt 20 head, preventing twisting of the hex bolt20. Immobilizing the hex bolt 20 in the corner 14 allows nuts or otherattachments to fasten onto the hex bolt 20 without unwanted twisting ofthe hex bolt 20. In other embodiments, the corners 14 may be filleted toaccommodate round projections, such as screws. The size and shape (e.g.,angle) of the corners 14 may be selected based on the types ofprojections used. This allows attachments such as brackets, shelves, orextensions to be coupled to the cable retention device 1 using theprojection.

The outer and inner planar layers 4, 6 may be sized and shaped toaccommodate specific projections. The thickness of the outer and innerplanar layers 4, 6 may be selected based on the coupled attachments orprojections. It may be necessary to ensure tie attachments orprojections do not extrude beyond the enclosure's base width, as theremay be walls or other enclosures populating the space. Accordingly, theouter planar layer 4 may be dimensioned to accommodate the height ofattachments and projections to ensure they remain within the enclosurewidth. As depicted in FIG. 1B, the height of the hex bolt 20 does notexceed the depth of the outer planar layer 4 (e.g., does not protrudebeyond the outer wall of the enclosure). In other words, the thicknessof the outer planar layer 4 may be the same as, or greater than, thethickness of the head of the hex bolt 20. Likewise, the outer and innerplanar layers 4, 6 may overlap such that the bottom of the verticalslotted cutouts 8 do not extend all of the way to the bottom of theouter planar layer 4. Instead, there may be a gap left such that thebottom of head of the hex bolt 20 (e.g., the portion of the hex bolt's20 head that is closest to the shank of the hex bolt 20) can lay flushagainst the inner planar layer 4 such that the hex bolt 20 does not fallinto the enclosure.

FIG. 2A is a front view of the cable retention device 1 from outside theenclosure, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Theouter and inner cutouts 5, 7 are configured to at least partiallyoverlap. The inner cutout 7 includes spaced vertical slotted cutouts 8connected by the center cutout 12. The center cutout 12 may be sized andshaped to form a plurality of pinch points 16 to facilitate receivingand retaining projections and attachments within the vertical slottedcutouts 8 and the center cutout 12.

References to relative dimensions such as length, height, and depth areexemplary and merely for ease of understanding aspects of theembodiments described herein. In regards to the relative dimensions forFIG. 2A and 2B, length means the horizontal distance along the cableretention device 1 (e.g., the distance between the peripheral tabcutouts). Height means the vertical distance along the cable retentiondevice 1 (e.g., the distance between the rounded top and bottom portionsof the vertical slotted cutouts 8). Depth means the distance goingdirectly into the cable retention device 1 (e.g., thickness of theplanar layers). Reference to angles of the corners 14 are to beunderstood in reference from the bottom right corner on the outer cutout5. For example, the bottom right corner is angled 30° from thehorizontal base. This angle is mirrored onto other corners of the outercutout 5.

In various embodiments, the outer cutout 5 is substantially squareshaped and has a length of 10-25 mm, a height of 10-25 mm, and a depthof 1-5 mm. The peripheral tab cutouts 10 may have a length of 0.1-5 mm,and the corners 14 may be angled at 5°-70°. In some embodiments, theouter cutout 5 may have a length of 17-19 mm, a height of 15-18 mm and adepth of 2.5-3.5 mm. In some embodiments, the peripheral tab cutouts mayhave a length of 0.1-2 mm and the corners may be angled at 20° -40°.

FIG. 2B is a front view of the cable retention device 1 from inside theenclosure, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Inthis embodiment, the center point of the center cutout 12 is biasedbelow a line connecting the horizontal center points of the verticalslotted cutouts 8, with an offset distance denoted “D.” In someembodiments, the offset distance “D” can be customized (e.g.,determined) according to the needs of the end user (e.g., according tothe type of projections the user intends to use). This configurationreduces the risk of tie attachments escaping pinch points 16, especiallyunder the influence of gravity. This bias may also make installing tieattachments easier, as feeding the attachment over the shorter innerwall of the vertical slotted cutouts 8 may require less contortion ofthe attachment. However, it should be noted that the center cutout 12 isnot biased below the horizontal center in all embodiments. In someembodiments, the center cutout 12 may be substantially aligned with orabove the horizontal center of the vertical slotted cutouts 8.

In some embodiments, the corners 14 may overlap the inner cutout 7 tofacilitate immobilizing projections within the corners 14. In variousembodiments, the inner cutout 7 may have a length of 10-25 mm, a heightof 10-25 mm, and a depth of 1-5 mm. The vertical slotted cutouts 8 mayhave a length of 2-8 mm with 2-8 mm spacing between the inner walls. Thecenter cutout 12 may have a diameter of 2.5-10 mm depending on thespacing between the vertical slotted cutouts 8 and the preferred sizeand placement of pinch points 16. In some embodiments, the inner cutout7 may have length of 18-20 mm, a height of 15-18 mm, and a depth of 1-3mm. In some embodiments, the vertical slotted cutouts 8 may have alength of 3-5 mm with 5-7 mm spacing between the inner walls.Furthermore, in some embodiments, the center cutout 12 may have adiameter of 4-6 mm. Some embodiments may be designed to be compatiblewith projections (e.g., hex bolt 20) or VELCRO® Strap tie attachments,but may be modified to accommodate any specific projection or tieattachment.

All sizes, dimensions, and angles described herein, both relative andabsolute, are exemplary and not to be construed as limiting.

FIG. 3A illustrates the inner planar layer 6 of a side panel of anenclosure having inner cutouts 7 and trunk cable cutouts 18. FIG. 3Billustrates the outer planar layer 4 of a side panel on an enclosurehaving outer cutouts 5 and trunk cable cutouts 18. The outer and innercutouts 5, 7 are depicted with outer and inner peripheral tab cutouts 9,10 on each respective figure. The outer and inner planar layers 4, 6 maybe manufactured with outer and inner cutouts 5, 7 before or afterattaching the layers. The outer and inner planar layers 4, 6 may beattached to each other via welding, hardware assembly, riveting,brazing, soldering, gluing, or any other means of fastening the layerstogether. The outer and inner planar layers 4, 6 may also be formed on asingle sheet and bent thereafter to overlap the inner and outer cutouts5, 7. The inner and outer planar layers 4, 6 may be planar panels (e.g.,thin, flat pieces of material, such as sheet metal) manufactured usingany suitable material, including metals, polymers, wood, glass,composites, and ceramics. The attachment method may be selectedappropriately depending on the material selected for the outer and innerplanar layers. Furthermore, the attachment method may be selected to beminimally obstructive with the enclosure and components therein. Theenclosure may also be modified to include materials with sound or EMFdampening properties. The EMF dampening material may be inherent to theenclosure or added after manufacturing the enclosure. In someembodiments, the enclosure is manufactured from sheet metal fordurability. This allows the enclosure to endure shipping environments.

The trunk cable cutout 18 may be used to feed cables and wires into andout of the enclosure. Optical fibers are a good example of such wires asthey are frequently used in computer network settings due to theirability to quickly transmit data. Large servers may require a pluralityof optical fiber cables. For this reason, optical fiber cables aretypically bundled together in single cable, also known as a trunk cable.As the trunk cable runs vertically or horizontally through theenclosure, a tie attachment secured to the cable retention device 1 (asshown in FIGS. 1A-2B, see also the discussion below regarding FIG. 4)may fasten the cable to a surface on an enclosure to provideorganization and security while managing multiple cables. Properlymanaging cable layout in a high-density storage area network may avoidproblems associated with congested or disorganized systems, such asoverheating, obstructed airflow, unwanted bending of cables, ordifficulty modifying the server set-up.

FIG. 4 illustrates the cable retention device 1 on an enclosure 11.Several cable retention devices 1 and trunk cable cutouts 18 may bedisposed on the enclosure at various locations. Cable retention devices1 may be formed with any suitable manufacturing method (e.g., punching,stamping, CNC machining, cutting, or pressing into the outer and innerplanar layers 4, 6). In some embodiments, the manufacturer may utilize adouble punch to simultaneously stamp each layer. In other embodiments,the layers are punched individually and positioned to align the cutouts.In sheet metal enclosure embodiments, these manufacturing methods allowthe cable retention device 1 to be placed closer to extruding featureswithin the enclosure 11 as compared to protruding cutouts. Protrudingcutouts may require additional spacing from sheet metal features toallow the metal to bend. Furthermore, protruding cutouts may requiremore space to access the cutout, which can be obstructed if placed inproximity to a sheet metal feature. The cable retention device 1 may beflush with both surfaces of the surrounding material to ensure it is notobstructive with cabling or other components of the enclosure, such asPDUs, water manifolds, brackets, or shelves. In the embodiment depictedin FIG. 4, the cable retention device is disposed on the side panel 22and top panel 24 of the cabinet enclosure 11. However, the cableretention device 1 may be placed on any other location on the enclosureand is not limited to the embodiments described. In some embodiments,the cable retention device 1 is formed on shelves, brackets, or anysurface on the chassis.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart of an example method 500 formanufacturing a cable retention device 1, in accordance with embodimentsof the present disclosure. Operations 502A and 502B relate to formingcutouts on the planar layers. The cutouts may be substantially the sameas the outer and inner cutouts 5, 7. The planar layers may besubstantially the same as the outer and inner planar layers 4, 6.Forming each cutout on its respective layer may be done with anysuitable manufacturing method, such as stamping, punching, CNCmachining, cutting, or pressing into the layers. Furthermore, thecutouts may be formed on each layer in any order, or simultaneously.Operations 502A and 502B may be completed in any order, orsimultaneously. In some examples, the layers may be simultaneouslypunched with a double stamp. In some embodiments, the cutouts areindividually punched into each layer in any order.

At operation 504, the planar layers are aligned. The planar layers maybe aligned so the outer and inner cutouts at least partially overlap. Atoperation 506, the planar layers are attached. Attachment may be donevia welding, hardware assembly, riveting, brazing, soldering, gluing, orany other means of fastening the layers together. The aforementionedoperations may be completed in any order and are not limited to thosedescribed. In some embodiments, the planar layers are first aligned andattached, then subsequently formed with cutouts. In some embodiments,the cutouts are formed on the planar layers and then are aligned andattached.

Example method 500 for manufacturing a cable retention device 1 may becompleted based on the type of projection selected. For example, a usermay first select the desired type of projection or attachment (e.g., ¾″hex bolt, ½″ screw, zip-tie, d-ring). Afterwards, the user may determinethe necessary inner and outer cutout dimensions to accommodate theprojection or attachment. In some embodiments, the inner and outercutouts may accommodate both a projection and attachment. In someembodiments, the inner and outer cutout may accommodate a variety ofattachments or projections on the same cable retention device. Lastly,the user may form the cutouts with any suitable manufacturing methodbased on the determined dimensions.

The inner and outer cutout dimensions such as the center cutout,vertical slotted cutouts, corners, pinch points, and peripheral tabcutouts may be selected to accommodate specific projections orattachments. The center cutout, vertical slotted cutouts, corners, pinchpoints, and peripheral tab cutouts may be substantially the same as thecenter cutout 12, the vertical slotted cutouts 8, the corners 14, thepinch points 16, and the outer and inner peripheral tab cutouts 9, 10previously described. In screw embodiments, the inner and outer cutoutfeatures may be rounded. For example, the peripheral tab cutouts may berounded to facilitate receiving and retaining a screw head.Additionally, the center cutout may be substantially circular shaped tofacilitate receiving and retaining the screw body. Furthermore, thepinch points and corners may be filleted to accommodate the shape of thescrew head and body. The vertical slotted cutouts may be rounded on thetop and bottom to accommodate the diameter of the screw. In hex boltembodiments, the peripheral tab cutouts may be straight edged tofacilitate receiving and retaining a hex bolt head. In this embodiment,the corners may be chamfered at an angle of 30° from the base toaccommodate the 120° internal angles of a hex bolt.

In VELCRO® Strap embodiments, the distance between the pinch points 16may be smaller than the width of the strap to facilitate retaining thestrap within the vertical slotted cutouts. In this embodiment, thecenter point of the center cutout may be biased below a line connectingthe center points of the vertical slotted cutouts. This may reduce therisk of the VELCRO® Strap escaping the pinch points, especially underthe influence of gravity. Furthermore, it may require less contortion ofthe VELCRO® Strap during attachment. In embodiments which utilize both ascrew/bolt and a VELCRO® Strap, the center cutout diameter may be largerthan the distance between inner edges (e.g., the edges closest to theother vertical slotted cutout and the center cutout) of the verticalslotted cutouts. This configuration may allow accommodation of thediameter of the screw/bolt body within the center cutout and thethickness of the VELCRO® Strap within the vertical slotted cutouts.

The aforementioned operations may be completed by a computer (e.g., by aprocessor connected to a memory device that includes computer code tocause the processor to perform the aforementioned operations). Likewise,the computer may cause another machine to complete the aforementionedoperations. In some embodiments, a user defines the cut dimensions basedon the selected projection and inputs the cut dimensions into acomputer. The computer may then cause a machine to make the desiredcuts. Various machines may be instructed to make the cuts, such as a CNCmill, waterjet cutter, plasma cutter, laser cutter, or flame cutter. Insome embodiments, the user may select the type of projection andconfigure a computer to determine the cut dimensions based on theprojection type. For example, a user may select which type of projectionto use, input the projection type into the computer, allow the computerto calculate the size and shape of the cutout based on the projectiontype, and then cause a machine to make the cuts. This may allow accuratecompatibility between the sought projections or attachments and thecable-tie point. A computer may also be used to align and attach theplanar layers. This may ensure accurate alignment between the inner andouter cutouts. It may additionally ensure the attachment method does notobstruct components within the enclosure or breach outside the enclosurespace.

A variety of examples and embodiments are presented in this disclosure.These examples may be referred to as exemplary. Note that the term“exemplary,” as used in this disclosure, simply means an example,instance, or illustration. This term is not used to mean that aparticular example is superior, commendable, or otherwise deserving ofimitation over other examples. While the foregoing is directed toexemplary embodiments, other and further embodiments of the inventionmay be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and thescope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the variousembodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” areintended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms“includes” and/or “including,” when used in this specification, specifythe presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations,elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence oraddition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations,elements, components, and/or groups thereof. In the previous detaileddescription of example embodiments of the various embodiments, referencewas made to the accompanying drawings (where like numbers represent likeelements), which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way ofillustration specific example embodiments in which the variousembodiments may be practiced. These embodiments were described insufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice theembodiments, but other embodiments may be used and logical, mechanical,electrical, and other changes may be made without departing from thescope of the various embodiments. In the previous description, numerousspecific details were set forth to provide a thorough understanding thevarious embodiments. However, the various embodiments may be practicedwithout these specific details. In other instances, well-known circuits,structures, and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not toobscure embodiments.

Different instances of the word “embodiment” as used within thisspecification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, but theymay. Any data and data structures illustrated or described herein areexamples only, and in other embodiments, different amounts of data,types of data, fields, numbers and types of fields, field names, numbersand types of rows, records, entries, or organizations of data may beused. In addition, any data may be combined with logic, so that aseparate data structure may not be necessary. The previous detaileddescription is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present disclosurehave been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intendedto be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Manymodifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the describedembodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain theprinciples of the embodiments, the practical application or technicalimprovement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodimentsdisclosed herein.

Although the present invention has been described in terms of specificembodiments, it is anticipated that alterations and modification thereofwill become apparent to the skilled in the art. Therefore, it isintended that the following claims be interpreted as covering all suchalterations and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scopeof the invention.

1. A device comprising: a panel of an enclosure having an inner playerlayer and an outer planar layer, wherein the inner and outer planarlayers are attached to each other, wherein thickness of the outer planarlayer corresponds to a feature on a projection to prevent the featurefrom extruding beyond a total enclosure width, the thickness of theouter planar layer being 2-4 mm; two or more inner cutouts disposed onthe inner planar layer, each of the two or more inner cutouts including:a pair of substantially parallel vertical slotted cutouts; asubstantially circular center cutout disposed between the pair ofvertical slotted cutouts, wherein the center cutout is configured toreceive and retain a projection, wherein the center cutout is disposedbelow a line connecting a pair of center points of the vertical slottedcutouts, wherein a center cutout diameter is greater than a distancebetween inner edges of the pair of vertical slotted cutouts; a pluralityof pinch points having filleted corners formed from the center cutout oninner edges of the pair of vertical slotted cutouts, wherein theplurality of pinch points are configured to receive and retain a tieattachment within the pair of vertical slotted cutouts; a first pair ofperipheral tab cutouts spaced apart on opposite ends of the innercutouts, wherein the first pair of peripheral tab cutouts are sized andshaped to accommodate a projection, wherein the first pair of peripheraltab cutouts project away from a center of the inner cutout, wherein thefirst pair of peripheral tab cutouts allow a projection to access theinner cutout from an inside of the enclosure; two or more outer cutoutsdisposed on the outer planar layer, each of the two or more outercutouts being substantially square shaped with chamfered corners,wherein the corners are chamfered at an angle of approximately 120°,wherein each of the two or more outer cutouts corresponds to the innercutout of the two or more inner cutouts, wherein an area defined by eachthe outer cutouts at least partially overlaps an area defined by acorresponding inner cutout; and a second pair of peripheral tab cutoutsspaced apart on opposite ends of the outer cutout, wherein the secondpair of peripheral tab cutouts are sized and shaped to accommodate aprojection, wherein the second pair of peripheral tab cutouts faceoutwards from a center of the outer cutout, wherein the second pair ofperipheral tab cutouts allow a projection to access the outer cutoutfrom entirely the inside of the enclosure.